NIFT 2026 Application Window to Open 'Any Moment Now': Aspiring Designers Urged to Prepare Documents

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), one of the premier design and fashion education institutions in the country, is on the verge of opening its online registration portal for the NIFT Entrance Exam 2026. For thousands of high school and graduate students dreaming of a career in the dynamic world of design, fashion, and technology, this marks the official start of their admission journey.

The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), one of the premier design and fashion education institutions in the country, is on the verge of opening its online registration portal for the NIFT Entrance Exam 2026. For thousands of high school and graduate students dreaming of a career in the dynamic world of design, fashion, and technology, this marks the official start of their admission journey.

As per the latest updates, the NIFT 2026 application process for its popular B.Des. (Bachelor of Design), M.Des. (Master of Design), B.F.Tech. (Bachelor of Fashion Technology), M.F.Tech., and M.F.M. programs is expected to begin any moment now in November 2025.

Key Exam Dates and Structure

The NIFT Entrance Exam is a two-stage process conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The crucial Stage 1, the written entrance test, is tentatively scheduled for the second week of February 2026.

Stage 1: Written Examination

The written test comprises two sections:

1. Creative Ability Test (CAT): This section evaluates the candidate’s intuitive ability, observation skills, creativity, and drawing aptitude, which is essential for design courses.
2. General Ability Test (GAT): This tests the candidate's general knowledge, quantitative ability, communication skills, and English comprehension.

Candidates shortlisted based on their written scores will proceed to Stage 2, which includes the Situation Test (for B.Des.) or Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) (for M.Des./M.F.M./M.F.Tech.). The Situation Test is a hands-on, model-making exercise designed to assess a student’s material handling skills and creative problem-solving ability in a given scenario.

The Online Application Checklist

Given the registration window is imminent, aspirants must ensure they meet the eligibility requirements for their desired course and have their documents prepared in the specified format. The registration fee is expected to be around INR 3,000 for the General, OBC (Non-Creamy), and GEN-EWS categories, and INR 1,500 for SC, ST, and PwD candidates. There may also be a provision to register with a late fee.

The application procedure involves four steps:

1. Registration: Creating a user account using personal details, including a valid Aadhaar number, email ID, and mobile number.
2. Form Filling: Logging in to fill in detailed personal, academic, and communication information. Aspirants must select their preferred NIFT Campus and program specialization (e.g., Fashion Design, Textile Design).
3. Document Upload: Uploading a scanned passport-size photograph and signature, ensuring they strictly adhere to the size and format (usually JPG/JPEG, not exceeding 100 KB) to prevent rejection.
4. Fee Payment: Final payment of the application fee through the online gateway.

A Critical Warning: NTA strictly prohibits editing crucial data like the candidate's name, Date of Birth, Email ID, or Mobile Number after final submission. Aspirants must exercise utmost caution while filling out the application form.

With approximately 4,837 seats across 19 campuses up for grabs, competition will be fierce. Aspiring designers are encouraged to intensify their preparation for both the theoretical GAT and the creative CAT. For regular updates follow Only Education News and download the official Admission Prospectus for detailed eligibility and syllabus information.